This calculator uses Institute research to show how changes to state provisions might affect collision claims and fatal crash rates among young drivers. For every state and D.C., the Institute has estimated the effects of strengthening or weakening five key graduated driver licensing provisions: permit age, practice driving hours, license age and night driving and passenger restrictions. The projections are based
on research showing what matters most when it comes to preventing fatal crashes and collision claims among teen drivers.

Practice hours

50 hours

0 hours

5 hours

10 hours

15 hours

20 hours

25 hours

30 hours

35 hours

40 hours

45 hours

50 hours

55 hours

60 hours

65 hours

70 hours

FatalCrashes

CollisionClaims

Most states require a minimum number of supervised hours behind the wheel before progressing from the
learner stage to an intermediate license.
Requiring more practice hours reduces the number of collision claims filed for novice drivers.

Across the United States, required practice amounts range from
0 hours to
70 hours.

Night driving

11:00 pm

No restriction

1:00 am

12:30 am

midnight

11:30 pm

11:00 pm

10:30 pm

10:00 pm

9:30 pm

9:00 pm

8:30 pm

8:00 pm

FatalCrashes

CollisionClaims

Most states restrict teens in the intermediate stage of licensure from
driving without adult supervision at night. Starting times vary. Restrictions that start at 9 p.m. reduce teen
driver fatal crash rates an estimated 18 percent and collision claim frequencies an estimated 8 percent, compared
with no restriction.

Night driving start times range from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Restrictions in some states vary by the time of year.

Passengers

One

Two or more

One

None

FatalCrashes

CollisionClaims

When a beginning driver travels with other teens in the car, the risk of a fatal crash increases. Most
states limit the number of passengers that may ride along with intermediate-stage drivers without adult supervision.
When teen passengers are prohibited, 15-to-17-year-old drivers’ fatal crash rates are 21 percent lower than when two or more are allowed.
Allowing only one teen passenger reduces the rate 7 percent.